How to split a PDF
- Drop a PDF on the page or click Choose file.
- Tap the pages you want, or type ranges such as
1-3, 7, 10-. - Pick a mode and click Split PDF. Several files are saved as one ZIP.
Three ways to split
Extract pages into one PDF keeps only the pages you select, in page order. Use it to send page 4 of a contract or the two pages of a bank statement someone asked for.
One file per range turns 1-3, 4-10, 11- into three separate PDFs, which is handy for cutting a scanned stack of documents apart. Split every N pages cuts at a fixed interval: 1 gives one file per page, 2 splits double-sided forms back into separate sheets.
What we measured
From a 100-page test PDF (1,260 KB), extracting 10 scattered pages took 0.02 seconds in Chrome on a 4-core test computer and produced a 743 KB file. Splitting the same document into 100 single-page files took 0.44 seconds, ZIP included.
Pages are copied, not re-rendered, so text stays searchable and selectable. Note that an extracted page can still carry fonts and images shared with the rest of the document, so a 1-page extract is not always tiny.
Handy for everyday paperwork
Typical jobs: sending only the pages of a payslip or tax form that a landlord asked for, splitting a 40-page scan from the office copier into individual documents, or pulling one chapter out of a textbook PDF to read on a tablet.
Need the pages in a different order, or a few pages removed rather than extracted? Organize PDF Pages is quicker for that. To put extracted pages together with other files, finish with Merge PDF.
Limits to know about
- Password-protected PDFs can’t be opened here.
- Bookmarks and links that point outside the extracted pages are dropped.
- A digital signature is not carried over to the new file.
- Page ranges follow the physical page order (1 is the first page), not printed page labels such as “iv” or “A-3”.
Frequently asked questions
Is my PDF uploaded?
No. The file is opened in your browser with PDF.js for the previews and pdf-lib for the splitting. deskumo never receives it.
How do I write page ranges?
Separate items with commas. 5 is a single page, 2-4 a range, 8- means page 8 to the end, and -3 means the first three pages.
Can I split a PDF into single pages?
Yes. Choose Split every N pages and enter 1. You’ll get one PDF per page, downloaded as a ZIP.
Does it work on large files?
Yes, within your device’s memory. Previews are drawn only as you scroll, so even a few hundred pages stay responsive.